Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

During the school year, more than 80,000 Maine children participate in the free and reduced-price lunch program to ensure they get the nutrition that they need to thrive in school. Less than 25% of those children receive meals during the summer months, largely due to the lack of local meal programs. To help meet the nutritional needs of Maine children, Good Shepherd Food Bank became a sponsor of the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program in Bangor & Brewer.

During the summer months, we work with partners across the city to serve up freshly prepared meals that are both nutritious and delicious for FREE to children ages 18 and under. As part of the program, the Food Bank partners with volunteers and nonprofits from across the city to offer enrichment activities like gardening, nutrition, sports, and more.

Looking for a Summer Lunch site near you? Call 211 or go to 211maine.org to find resources in your town.

2016 SFSP Mini Grant Program

The SFSP Mini-Grant Program makes funding opportunities available for eligible Summer Food Service Program Sponsors looking to increase the number of meals served at open sites in their communities. Mini-grants support innovative ideas or tried and true best practices to enhance summer meal access by funding costs not reimbursed by USDA.

Mini Grants have been awarded to help the following partners increase their Summer Food Service Program accessibility and participation in 2016, thanks to generous funding from Full Plates Full Potential.